Portsmouth, located in Virginia, is a city with a rich history and vibrant community. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for both current residents and those considering a move.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Portsmouth, covering essential categories such as dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $20 on average, with a range between $15 and $60.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $85, with prices ranging from $50 to $180.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $11.94, with a range between $8.88 and $20.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $3 to $20, imported beer $5 to $9, cappuccino $4 to $10, and Coke/Pepsi $1.99 to $4.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $0.53 and $2 per liter, averaging $0.87.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $2.2 and $5, with an average price of $3.12.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $1.7 to $5.59, averaging $3.15.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $1.46 to $6.61 per kg, while oranges range from $2 to $11.02 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $1.68 and $4.41 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.99 to $3 per head.

Transportation

  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $0.78 and $1.02 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $3.4, with a cost of $0.55 to $1.5 per km and $20 per hour of waiting.
  • Car Purchase - A new Volkswagen Golf costs between $33,000 and $50,000, while a Toyota Corolla ranges from $20,425 to $30,000.

Housing Costs

  • Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child - The cost ranges from $800 to $2000, averaging $1200.
  • International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child - The yearly cost ranges from $15,316 to $24,000, averaging $18,658.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $103.53 and $400, averaging $165.9.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $40 to $100, with an average cost of $68.44.
  • Mobile Phone Plan - A mobile phone plan with calls and 10GB+ data costs between $30 and $180, averaging $49.38.
Worldwide
United States

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for the United States are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in United States, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Dec, 2024
Full Cost of Living Rankings

Cost of Living Data

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Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$20.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$85.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$11.94
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.00
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.00
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13
Cappuccino (regular)
$5.28
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$0.87
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$3.12
Eggs (regular) (12)
$3.15
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.57
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.20
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$11.00
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$9.00
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.81
Apples (1kg)
$2.47
Oranges (1kg)
$2.78
Potato (1kg)
$2.29
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.72
Rice (white), (1kg)
$3.93
Tomato (1kg)
$4.25
Banana (1kg)
$1.46
Onion (1kg)
$2.75
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$13.19
Transportation
Avg / Range
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.87
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$35,000.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.65
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$1.30
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$20.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$22,092.76
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$165.90
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$68.44
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$49.38
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$12.00
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.17
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$45.99
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$102.50
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$162.50
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
6.66%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$1,200.00
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$18,658.00
Portsmouth Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Portsmouth offers a diverse range of dining options, with prices varying significantly based on the type of restaurant.

Grocery prices are relatively moderate, with essentials like milk and bread being affordable.

Transportation costs are manageable, especially for those using public transport or taxis.

Housing and utilities are reasonably priced, making Portsmouth a potentially affordable place to live.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Portsmouth, VA, presents a balanced cost of living with affordable options in dining, groceries, and transportation.

While housing and utilities are reasonably priced, potential residents should consider their lifestyle and budget to ensure a comfortable living experience in this vibrant city.